Power, like the morning dew, glistens in the early light but vanishes with the heat of the day. For over a decade, the influence of the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, was unquestioned, his words carried weight, and his allies rallied around him like bees to honey. But today, the once-bustling hive stands deserted.
To be sure, Obasa’s rise was nothing short of meteoric. From his humble beginnings as a councillor in Agege in 1999, he climbed the rungs of political fortune with a determination that would impress even the most ambitious. With each electoral victory—2007, 2011, 2014, 2019, and 2023—he solidified his hold, eventually reigning as Speaker for a decade.
Like the proverbial pigeon, Obasa once basked in the loyalty of his political flock, certain of their unwavering support. Now, it seems that the Speaker’s confidence betrayed him. His bold, unsparing rhetoric against the governor and party elders became his undoing, according to analysts.
It wasn’t just the vote that saw him ungracefully impeached that stung—it was the deafening silence that followed. Former allies, who once jostled to be in his good graces, melted away like snow in the sun.
It would not be surprising if they now avoid his calls, refuse his invitations, and speak of him in whispers, if at all. Political friendships, like Lagos traffic, can be unpredictable; today’s passengers will disembark when the ride gets bumpy.
And so, Obasa faces a new reality—one of solitude and scrutiny. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lurks in the background, an ever-present spectre that could turn his fall from grace into a full-blown tragedy.
There is an old saying: “When the drum changes its beat, the dancer must adjust.” Obasa, perhaps, failed to heed this wisdom, believing himself above the intricate rhythms of political survival.
Let power be wielded with humility, let alliances be nurtured with care, and let ambition be tempered with discretion. These are lessons from Obasa’s story.(Thisday)
